By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — We’re entering the final stretch of the local election season.
On Monday night, the Select Board voted to sign the Town Election warrant for Tuesday, May 2. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town’s centralized polling place, the Parish Hall of St. Theresa Church, 63 Winter St.
There are two contested races in this election cycle for Select Board and Community Planning Commission.
Competing for the three-year term on the Select Board is incumbent Vice Chair Vincenzo Stuto, 122 Elm St., and newcomer Jack A. Carroll, 40 Main St., Apt. 21. In the running for the three-year term on the Community Planning Commission (CPC) is incumbent Chairman Christopher B. Hayden, 20 Swan Pond Road, and newcomer Jeffrey P. Griffin, 31 Abbott Rd.
Incumbent School Committee Chair Scott T. Buckley, 5 Alden St., is running unopposed for his third three-year term.
Also running unopposed is Moderator John J. Murphy, 13 Duane Dr., which is the only one-year term on the ballot.
IMPORTANT DATES PERTAINING TO ELECTION
To participate in the annual Town Election, the deadline to register to vote is Saturday, April 22. Registering to vote can be accomplished in several ways. Town residents can register in person at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall 235 North St., during regular business hours. The office of Town Clerk Susan Duplin will also be open on the deadline day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents can also register online prior to midnight on the deadline day at: sec.state.ma.us.
The deadline for voters to apply for a mail-in ballot for the Town Election is Tuesday, April 25. Voters may download a paper application form to submit in person at the Town Clerk’s office by going to: https://bit.ly/3KP3Qd0
The two-step process enables voters to check their voter status and then proceed to the application.
The following information is provided by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth:
Voting by Mail
In most elections in Massachusetts, voters can choose whether they would prefer to vote in person or by mail.
No-excuse early voting by mail is available in all state elections, state primaries, presidential primaries, and most local elections. These ballots are known as “Vote by Mail” ballots and can be requested using the Vote by Mail Application.
While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you may need to use the Absentee Ballot application to apply for an absentee ballot instead. Find more information about absentee ballot eligibility at: sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/voting-information/absentee-voting.htm
Applying for your ballot
To request your Vote by Mail ballot, you will need to submit a Vote by Mail application to your local election office: online, by mail, by email or by fax.
Vote by Mail applications can be submitted online through the Mail-in Ballot Application System.
If you prefer to use a paper application, a Vote by Mail applications can also be downloaded or printed at: [sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/languages/vote-by-mail-applications.htm]
Further, any written request with your signature is an acceptable application. You can simply write a signed letter to your local election office to apply for your ballot.
Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax, but they must include a signature that can be compared to your hand-written signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable.
Typed signatures on applications cannot be accepted, unless you are a voter who requires accommodations due to physical disability. If you are unable to sign your application or mark your ballot by hand due to a disability, visit our page about voting with disabilities for information on requesting an accommodation.
Absentee ballots can be requested in the same manner as early Vote by Mail ballots, using the Absentee Ballot application.
Application deadlines
Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on the fifth business day before the election. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline.
Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply two-three weeks before Election Day.